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1546828

registered interest
date	30/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Employment and Support Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what was the total (a) expenditure on and (b) number of benefit claimants receiving Employment Support Allowance in each of the last five years, in (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales, (iv) Northern Ireland, (v) each local authority and (vi) each constituency.
tabling member constituency	Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
tabling member printed	Neale Hanvey
uin	100001
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p>The information to answer parts (a) i)-iii), v) and vi) of the question can be found in the benefit expenditure and caseload tables (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2021" target="_blank">Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>). Data for 2021/22 will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>Information on the number of claimants who received Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in the last five years, broken down by various geographies in Great Britain, is published and can be found on <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/login.xhtml?invalidSession=true&amp;reason=AdminSessionHelper+not+found." target="_blank">Stat-Xplore</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html" target="_blank">here.</a> An account is not required to use Stat-Xplore; the ‘Guest Login’ feature gives instant access to the main functions.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Communities is responsible for Employment and Support Allowance in Northern Ireland.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 05/12/2022 16:38:16 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4782 label Biography information for Neale Hanvey

1546829

registered interest
date	30/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Personal Independence Payment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what was the total (a) expenditure on and (b) number of benefit claimants receiving Personal Independence Payments in each of the last five years, in (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales, (iv) Northern Ireland, (v) each local authority and (vi) each constituency.
tabling member constituency	Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
tabling member printed	Neale Hanvey
uin	100002
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p>The information to answer parts a) i)-iii), v) and vi) of the question can be found in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2021" target="_blank">Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a> for the years up to 2020/21. Data for 2021/22 will be published in due course.</p><p>The Scottish Government took on responsibility for Personal Independence Payment in Scotland from 2020/21, so expenditure data for Scotland only covers the years up to 2019/20. Information on expenditure in Scotland from 2020/21 is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.</p><p>The available information on the number of claimants who received PIP in the last five years, broken down by various geographies, is published and can be found on <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Stat-Xplore</a>.</p><p> </p><p>You can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest user and, if needed, you can access <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">guidance</a> on how to extract the information required.</p><p>The Department for Communities is responsible for PIP in Northern Ireland.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 05/12/2022 16:26:55 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4782 label Biography information for Neale Hanvey

1546931

registered interest
date	30/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an estimate of the cost of raising the earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance to work for up to 21 hours a week at National Living Wages rates for financial year 2023-24.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
uin	99912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance are also in households receiving Universal Credit, whose structure of tapers and work allowances (where applicable) effectively takes precedence over the earnings rules in Carer’s Allowance for these carers. This helps ensure that, if they wish to work, carers on the lowest incomes are better off doing so. There is, however, no requirement for those caring for 35 hours or more a week to undertake work search whilst receiving Universal Credit. In work or out of work, these carers may also receive the Universal Credit Carer Element, worth around an additional £2,000 a year.</p><p> </p><p>Some carers may not be able to receive Universal Credit, for example due to their levels of household capital or income. These carers may only be receiving Carer’s Allowance. This is not means-tested and not based on National Insurance contributions. It has an earnings limit which permits carers to undertake some part-time work if they are able to do so. This recognises the benefits of staying in touch with the workplace, including greater financial independence and social interaction.</p><p> </p><p>We know that some carers who are above Universal Credit thresholds are keen to maintain contact with the labour market, so we want to encourage carers in this position to combine some paid work with their caring duties wherever possible. That is why we regularly increase the earnings limit when it is warranted and affordable. The Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is currently £132 a week. Subject to parliamentary approval, this will increase to £139 a week from April 2023. This will mean that the earnings limit will have increased by over one third since 2010.</p><p> </p><p>There is no “hours rule” in Carer’s Allowance as far as earnings are concerned.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 99858 question first answered 05/12/2022 16:11:06 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1547047

registered interest
date	30/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Cost of Living Payments: Carers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing Cost of Living Payments to recipients of Carer's Allowance who do not receive means-tested benefits.
tabling member constituency	Leicester South
tabling member printed	Jonathan Ashworth
uin	99857
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p>Not all carers live in low income households. For those that do, means-tested benefits may be payable, which provide extra weekly income and may trigger support with cost of living increases. The Government would encourage not only carers, but anyone in financial need, to check their eligibility for additional financial support. Full details of DWP benefits are available on Gov.UK, and advice can also be sought through organisations such as Citizens Advice.</p><p> </p><p>The Government understands the pressures people, including carers, are facing with the cost of living; which is why, in addition to the £37 billion of support we have provided for cost of living pressures in 2022-23, we are acting now to ensure support continues throughout 2023/24.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure stability and certainty for households, in the Autumn Statement the Government announced £26 billion in cost of living support for 2023/24. This includes Cost of Living Payments for the most vulnerable. In 2023/24, households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to a further £900 in Cost of Living Payments. A £300 payment will be made to pensioner households and individuals in receipt of eligible disability benefits, which will include some carers, will receive a £150 payment. Also included is the amended Energy Price Guarantee which will save the average UK household £500 in 2023-24 and raising the benefit cap by 10.1% in line with inflation.</p><p> </p><p>For those who require extra support, the Government is providing an additional £1 billion of funding, including Barnett impact, to enable the extension of the Household Support Fund in England in the next financial year. This is on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing total funding to £2.5 billion. In England this will be delivered through an extension to the Household Support Fund backed by £842 million, running from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, which local authorities use to help households with the cost of essentials. It will be for the devolved administrations to decide how to allocate their additional Barnett funding.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 05/12/2022 16:07:48 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4244 label Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth

1547052

registered interest
date	30/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the eligibility rules for Carer's Allowance on the ability of unpaid carers to work more hours and increase their earnings.
tabling member constituency	Leicester South
tabling member printed	Jonathan Ashworth
uin	99858
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance are also in households receiving Universal Credit, whose structure of tapers and work allowances (where applicable) effectively takes precedence over the earnings rules in Carer’s Allowance for these carers. This helps ensure that, if they wish to work, carers on the lowest incomes are better off doing so. There is, however, no requirement for those caring for 35 hours or more a week to undertake work search whilst receiving Universal Credit. In work or out of work, these carers may also receive the Universal Credit Carer Element, worth around an additional £2,000 a year.</p><p> </p><p>Some carers may not be able to receive Universal Credit, for example due to their levels of household capital or income. These carers may only be receiving Carer’s Allowance. This is not means-tested and not based on National Insurance contributions. It has an earnings limit which permits carers to undertake some part-time work if they are able to do so. This recognises the benefits of staying in touch with the workplace, including greater financial independence and social interaction.</p><p> </p><p>We know that some carers who are above Universal Credit thresholds are keen to maintain contact with the labour market, so we want to encourage carers in this position to combine some paid work with their caring duties wherever possible. That is why we regularly increase the earnings limit when it is warranted and affordable. The Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is currently £132 a week. Subject to parliamentary approval, this will increase to £139 a week from April 2023. This will mean that the earnings limit will have increased by over one third since 2010.</p><p> </p><p>There is no “hours rule” in Carer’s Allowance as far as earnings are concerned.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 99912 question first answered 05/12/2022 16:11:06 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4244 label Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth

1547056

registered interest
date	30/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of amending eligibility for Carer's Allowance to provide a level of income replacement for unpaid carers who care for someone for fewer than 35 hours a week.
tabling member constituency	Leicester South
tabling member printed	Jonathan Ashworth
uin	99859
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p>Successive Governments have maintained the caring threshold for Carer’s Allowance at 35 hours a week since the benefit was first introduced. Carers who provide less than 35 hours of care can already receive financial support through the benefit system where eligible, including through Universal Credit. Carers have their Universal Credit conditionality adjusted to reflect their caring responsibilities.</p><p>Since April 2010, carers who do not get Carer's Allowance have been able to apply for Carer's Credits if they are caring for one or more disabled people for at least 20 hours a week. Carer’s Credits are Class 3 credits which can help towards the conditions of entitlement to the new State Pension and Widowed Parent’s Allowance.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 05/12/2022 16:14:01 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4244 label Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth

1547059

registered interest
date	30/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Cost of Living Payments: Pensioners
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Cost of Living Payments have been issued to pensioners in East Yorkshire constituency.
tabling member constituency	East Yorkshire
tabling member printed	Sir Greg Knight
uin	99749
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p>In line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, the number of Cost of Living Payments made to specific client groups is the subject of an upcoming statistical release, and cannot be released before that publication is ready, subject to usual quality assurance.</p><p>The Department for Work and Pensions has published management information on the total number of Cost of Living Payments made. The information which will be updated as new payments are made can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-living-payment-management-information/cost-of-living-payment-management-information" target="_blank">Cost of Living Payment management information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)</a>.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 05/12/2022 16:05:11 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	1200 label Biography information for Sir Greg Knight

1546395

registered interest
date	29/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions: Terminal Illnesses
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to allow people diagnosed with a terminal illness to access their state pension prior to their pension age if they have accrued sufficient contributions.
tabling member constituency	Angus
tabling member printed	Dave Doogan
uin	98787
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2022 answer text <p>We have no plans to allow early access to State Pension.</p><p> </p><p>For those at the end of their life, the Government’s priority is providing financial support quickly and compassionately. The main way that the Department does this is through special benefit rules, sometimes referred to as “the Special Rules”. These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit. For many years, the Special Rules have applied to people who have 6 months or less to live and now they are being changed so they apply to people who have 12 months or less to live.</p><p> </p><p>Scotland has the powers under the Scotland Act 2016 to make additional discretionary payments should it wish to do so. Whilst pensions remain a reserved matter, the Scotland Act 2016 has given the Scottish Government the ability to use a wide range of new welfare provisions.</p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott question first answered 02/12/2022 11:15:08 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
tabling member	4736 label Biography information for Dave Doogan

1546431

registered interest
date	29/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the weekly earning limits for Carers Allowance.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	98809
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2022 answer text <p>Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance are also in households receiving Universal Credit, whose structure of tapers and work allowances (where applicable) effectively takes precedence over the earnings rules in Carer’s Allowance for these carers. This helps ensure that, if they wish to work, carers on the lowest incomes are better off doing so. There is, however, no requirement for those caring for 35 hours or more a week to undertake work search whilst receiving Universal Credit. In work or out of work, these carers may also receive the Universal Credit Carer Element, worth around an additional £2,000 a year.</p><p>Some carers may not be able to receive Universal Credit, for example due to their levels of household capital or income. These carers may only be receiving Carer’s Allowance. This is not means-tested and not based on National Insurance contributions. It has an earnings limit which permits carers to undertake some part-time work if they are able to do so. This recognises the benefits of staying in touch with the workplace, including greater financial independence and social interaction.</p><p>We know that some carers who are above Universal Credit thresholds are keen to maintain contact with the labour market, so we want to encourage carers in this position to combine some paid work with their caring duties wherever possible. That is why we regularly increase the earnings limit when it is warranted and affordable. The Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is currently £132 a week. Subject to Parliamentary approval, this will increase to £139 a week from April 2023. This will mean that the earnings limit will have increased by over one third since 2010.</p><p>It should be noted that Carer’s Allowance is devolved to the Scottish Parliament. While the Scottish Government builds its capacity to replace it with Scottish Carer’s Assistance, DWP Ministers have agreed that DWP will administer Carer’s Allowance on behalf of the Scottish Ministers under an agency agreement. For as long as that agreement is in place, the Scottish Ministers need to ensure that Carer’s Allowance rules and rates in Scotland maintains legislative parity with Carer’s Allowance in England and Wales.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 02/12/2022 15:00:29 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1546538

registered interest
date	29/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to recognise the social model of disability; and what assessment he has made of the impacts for his policies of the potential benefits of such a model.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Walton
tabling member printed	Dan Carden
uin	98843
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p>The Government recognises the benefits of the Social Model of disability across the breadth of our policy-making that affects disabled people. It guides us as we attempt to break down barriers for disabled people, for example helping them to start, stay and succeed in work.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 05/12/2022 16:32:19 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4651 label Biography information for Dan Carden